11 Years of Happy

We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this week.  We went to Chez Betty in Park city.  The food there never disappoints.  We had a wonderful time together.  My favorite things about birthdays or anniversaries is all the memories that fill my mind.  I loved thinking of Matt this day and all of our experiences together.  I am so thankful for Matt.  He is so patient and loving to me. The thought of being with him for all eternity, well, words can not describe how happy that makes me.


Here are some photos of what we ordered.  Everything was so good.

Tarragon pancakes with creme fraiche and caviar

Lobster tart with lemon sauce

Grilled lamb chop with fingerling potatoes and sauteed vegetables

Salmon over potatoes with bacon broth and green beans

Lemon sorbet

Chocolate torte with a candle to celebrate our anniversary

In loving memorie

Val Douglas Garner

Born June 1, 1923 in Sugar City, Idaho

Passed Away April 16, 2011 in Ammon, Idaho

I always loved.......

His hair

The way he smelled

His stories

Waking up to the smell of him cooking breakfast when we would stay with him, it was always bacon, eggs, toast with huckleberry jam and grape or orange juice.

The way his blue eyes sparkled

when he hugged me, I felt safe and loved

How he was always warm

The sound of his laugh

The family reunions

The pinatas

The way the screen door would slam

How his house always felt cosy and full of love

Goodbye For Now

It was so nice to see my family.  I always enjoy getting to see them. This was at the viewing friday night.

My Aunt Leslie is so dear to me.  Grandma Garner pasted away when I was only eight years old.  Leslie    sort of took over that roll in my life. She has always been a source of comfort.  One of my favorite memories with her was in 2001.  My Dad was in his burn accident and she came down to help out.  She taught me how to can peaches.  That fall the peaches were so sweet.  I never cared for peaches much until that year.  Now when the peaches get ripe my heart is full of the loving memories she gave me.  It was a blessing for me to experience the love that she had for my Dad and the rest of our family.  When I got married she made me my temple apron. It is absolutely beautiful.  Every time I visit the temple I think of the love I have for her.

Me and my cousin Andrea

Doug, Blair, Leslie and Dad. All the living siblings of Val and Virginia. It makes me happy to think of My Grandpa getting to be with my Grandma and their daughter Kathy.

My little family on Saturday at the funeral.  The funeral service was beautiful, full of loving memories of  Grandpa.  My favorite talk was given by his brother Joe.  It was perfect.  I knew they were always close but it was lovely to he Joe speak of their times together. Everyone mentioned how in love my Grandparents were.  I don't know how I would survive without the gospel in my life and the knowledge I have that they are together again; that I will see them again.  This Easter was extra special. Thinking of the sacrifice our Savior made for us so that we can live again.

Grandpa always loved to drive.  This is his old truck, my Dad has had it.  They thought Grandpa would want to ride in it to the cemetery.

Dad gave the dedicatory prayer.

They folded the flag on his casket and gave it to Leslie. It was a beautiful sunny day with a bit of Idaho wind.

Leslie looked so grateful to the men for honoring her Dad for his sacrifice and service in World War II.  Sometime I will have to ask her what her thoughts were at that moment.

Dane after placing his flower on Grandpa's casket.

Walt at the cemetery.  Matt was so great the whole weekend to take care of the kids and let me visit with family and just take everything in.  He is such a good husband and father.

Jane and Eli were so good.  They sat through the entire funeral.  Eli was so sweet and tender to me when he notice the tears in my eyes.  He just hugged me and said" I love you mama."  I hope my kids always call me mama.  I love it!  I am always grateful for his love but especially at that moment.

Matt and Eli at the cemetery.

Hyrum and Walt, happy to be outside.

Dallen, Seth, Dad and Dane

Me and my cousin Michelle

Tay, Grandma Baird, Me and Grandpa Baird.  It was so comforting to have them there.  They have always been so supportive.

 Seth and I

Eli and I

Taylor, Me and Walter

I LOVE this photo of my Mom and I.  The lighting of the photo is really bad but I think it makes it look old.  My Mom is one of the strongest ladies I know.  She is such a rock for not just me but many others.

Dallen and I

Taylor and Zack

Tay, Dad and I. Again, I know the lighting is terrible but I love the way it makes the photo look. Grainy and faded like we took it sixty years ago.

Matt with Hyrum

Jane and Walter doing his silly face.

My cousin Ashlee and I

Lottie Mae and William Lawrence Garner are my Grandpa's parents.  It makes me so happy to think of the happy reunion he is having in the spirit world!

Goodbye for now, until we meet again.  I am looking forward to the day I can see my loved ones again.

One of my favorite Holidays

We gave the kids pillow pets for Easter this year.  I think they all loved them.

This weekend we went to Idaho for my Grandpa Garners funeral.  It was a beautiful, wonderful weekend.  I had planed a special Easter lesson for my kid and made eggs to dye.  After we got home from church I think the weekend of holding my emotions in caught up with me.  I think I hold them in around people because once the flood gate is opened it is had to close it back up agin.  I was so exhausted today, I fell asleep and didn't do any of my Easter plans with the kids.  We went down to McConkies for Easter dinner.  It was  yummy and low key.  At first I didn't feel like going, I felt like I could sleep the rest of the day.  I was happy I got myself up and went down to bountiful.  It was so nice to have their company.  My heart is full of love and gratitude today.  Love and gratitude for my savior Jesus Christ, for my family and that we can live together again.  What a gift!  Overall it has been a lovely Easter weekend.  I am to sleepy to wright about the funeral, that will have to come another day.  Happy Easter, it has always been one of my favorite holidays.

Happy 4th Birthday Hyrum

Hyrum has moved on from the dinos to Star Wars.  At four years old he is practically a Star Wars expert.  It is stinking funny to talk to him about it.  He just go's on and on with all the little facts he knows.  He is a detail oriented kid.  He is very content taking his time.  With everything, walking some where, eating, playing.  I think it is because he is just taking every little detail in.  Hyrum is my little buddy.  I have absolutely cherished this past year with Hyrum.  Jane and Eli are at school while Walt is napping, so Hyrum and I get time just the two of us every day!  It is wonderful.  He is so easy going and fun to be with.  He makes me so happy and thankful every day for him!  Happy Birthday my little Jedi Hyrum.  I love you!

Hyrum With his new Star wars gear.  I think he is going to sleep with it!  

He helped me make his Star Wars cupcakes today.

We went to BOondocks to play laser tag for Hyrums Birthday.  Our little family love's laser tag, but Hyrum the most.  It was fitting for his Star Wars theme.  We had a great time.  I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in Hyrums life who love him.  I know know he feel's loved!

Hyrum asked to have his photo taken with this Star Wars guy.  He is a manikin that stands at the laser tag entrance.  

Eli's piano recital

Eli with all the Let's Play Music classes and their teacher Amy York.

Grandma McConkie, Eli and Grandma Garner.  I love the support we constantly have from our family.  I am always grateful that we get to have them come to all of our special events.

Harrison Farmer (Eli's B.F.F.)  and Eli after the recital.

THis has been a really exciting year in the program.  Eli is learning to read music, play cords and memorize the key board!  I have loved watching him learn and succeed. I have hatted getting him to practice when he doesn't want to, which is most of the time.  It has forced me to be creative with my bribes.  I am thankful, for the most part, that I get to have this time with Eli.  He is such a sweet boy.

I couldn't get any really great photos of Eli on the stage.  He looked so cute up there with his key board!

Three sweet girls

Audrey, Jane and Emily gave me the best Birthday surprise I have ever had!  They were so sweet and thoughtful.  I loved seeing how excited they were to bring me into the play room that they had cleaned "spotless."  Now, this was a BIG job.  The play room was quite the mess.  I was so impressed that they stuck with it and did the whole thing.  Thanks girls for making my Birthday so awesome!  I love you!